Most Mainers know the old adage that Maine has only two seasons: winter and mud season. The joke has a grain of truth, however, and the dangers and costs of ice and snow are no laughing matter. According to the Maine Department of Labor, since 2011, slips and falls on ice and snow have cost Maine workers, employers, and insurers more than $2.3 million annually in lost time and medical expenses. When winter weather hits, Maine businesses need to be prepared, or potentially face slip and fall suits and workers’ compensation claims. Maine law can shield a business exercising best practices from slip and fall suits, but it can also create pitfalls for the unprepared. Read on after the break for some tips to protect your business and your bottom line.

While “slip and fall season” presents many challenges, there are a few things you can do this winter to keep your risk to a minimum. For example:

• If you use a snow removal contractor, make sure you have a well-drafted snow removal contract
• Keep all approaches and entryways to your organization clear of ice and snow
• Where employees handle ice and snow, ensure they do it safely and effectively

For more information on how to protect your business from the risks that go hand in hand with winter weather, contact the attorneys at Tucker Law Group.